Jewellery
Jinks’ jewellery making began in the 1970’s, her wealth of experience and knowledge travels into each piece - from the design process into the skilful hand-crafting and finishing. Her workshop overlooks the South Downs, a peaceful enclave in which to focus and create.
Made by hand in the workshop
Jinks works with high-carat recycled golds, silver and precious gemstones, handcrafting one-off pieces using traditional jewellery techniques. She produces bespoke pieces both for exhibitions and to commission. Each piece of jewellery is meticulously designed and handmade by Jinks, in her workshop, and hallmarked - to officially ascertain the purity of the precious metals - by the Sheffield Assay Office.
Jinks likes to be in control of the materials but not the journey of her piece: her designs and processes are inspired by the materials and techniques of English Medieval jewellery and the splendour of Indian Moghul treasures. Her jewellery is distinguished by it’s confident use of precious metals and a vibrant choice of stunning, and sometimes organically shaped, gemstones – she endeavours to create beautiful pieces that are both wearable and cherished.
“Jinks welcomes jewellery commissions to design and make a piece unique to you – from giving new life to heirloom jewels to marking a big moment in life. To discuss your ideas please contact Jinks”
Traditional techniques
The rich history of jewellery may be traced back to the earliest societies, and gold-smithing techniques using hand tools, have remained essentially the same for many centuries. Jinks is proud to be continuing the traditions of this Ancient craft, in the knowledge that she and a jeweller from, say, the Middle Ages could switch workbenches and be quickly familiar with each other’s similar tools and techniques!
Handmaking chains
Making chains by hand is, for Jinks, an integral process in the making of a necklace. There are many traditional methods of chain-making and she loves exploring styles and using different techniques, from hand-making beads to intricate loop-in-loop chains. In essence a chain is a series of links to allow a necklace to be flexible – this is reflected in the creative and ancient process of hand-making chains and is a careful balance of patience, aesthetic and function.
Setting stones
Jinks sets her own stones using a variety of techniques with a punch or a pusher and a burnishing tool. Choosing the right setting enhances the vitality of each individual stone, and this is realised through precise calculations and creativity. Her work is often enhanced by the use of remarkable gemstones, it may be a slice of Emerald, an organically shaped Diamond, a rare Star Sapphire or raw Lapis Lazuli.
Recycling gold
Nowadays there is widespread information on the sustainability in recycling gold. Jinks gathers 18 carat gold or 22 carat gold from recovered jewellery and off-cuts from her jewellery making… to recycle it she cuts the gold into small pieces and places them in a crucible, with flux and a little carbon. This is heated to over 1000ºC and then quickly poured into an ingot-mould which becomes a cold and solid bar, ready to be used again.
Featured pieces
Further pieces are available in the online shop, if you are interested in discussing a commission please contact Jinks.
Gold and natural-slice Diamond Earrings
Gold and asymmetric Emerald Necklace
Gold and smokey Diamonds Ring